NEXT CONFERENCE COMING
November 12, 13 & 14, 2024
Registration Starts October 1st, 2024
Check back to reserve your spot
(no charge for caregivers)
Hosted by
Linda Burhans
The Gal Who Cares for the Caregivers
Linda Burhans is a national speaker and radio show host dedicated to the mission of caring for caregivers. As she says “I am the Gal Who Cares for Caregivers with Love, Laughter and Lessons Learned.”
Her caregiving journey began in 2006 when her mother moved from New York to Florida. Shortly after, her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. This was not the plan and this is something Linda hears from caregivers daily.
As an expert in Caregiver Advocacy, Linda has facilitated over 2000 support groups, speaking engagements and workshops for caregivers. She shares lessons learned and coping tools with thousands of caregivers who attend her events or read her work. Her weekly radio show, Tips for Caregivers and blogs provide expert guidance on resources and best practices for caregivers all over the United States.
She is ever awed by the strength, resilience, and commitment of the caregivers she meets and seeks to remind them that they are not alone. Help is available and it is okay to accept that help. Caregivers that seek to take on everything on their own often decline in health. The most important thing she teaches is that caregivers need and deserve the time and space to take care of themselves.
Please visit Linda’s website: LindaBurhans.com
Adaptive Equipment & Caregiving Corner produces educational and instructional videos. Our mission is to enhance continuity of care from healthcare facility to home, increase client and caregiver safety during daily care and improve and maintain the client’s optimal level of functional independence.
Cindy graduated in 1992 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare, with short stints in skilled rehabilitation and outpatient therapy clinical settings. Her passion is to assist people in maintaining their independence, especially when it makes the difference in their ability to remain in their home.
Physical Therapy’s main focus is mobility.
Christina graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master’s degree in Speech/Language/Dysphagia Therapy. She has spent most of her career treating patients in the skilled nursing facility environment. Of all the speech therapy areas speech therapists treat, her passion is working with people that have difficulty eating, chewing and swallowing after illness or disease.
Speech Therapy’s main focus is communication, cognition and swallowing difficulties.
Please visit AE Corner’s website: AECorner.com
Arlene Grosso is a Licensed Building Contractor that specializes in Mobility and Accessibility Solutions to help people Age In Place and help businesses comply with ADA requirements.
Ms Grosso is CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist) from the National Association of Builders and received her ECHM (Executive Certificate of Home Modification) from University of Southern California’s School of Gerontology.
As an AARP Ambassador Arlene promotes and presents the HomeFit Program offering No Cost-Low Cost solutions to help seniors Age In Place.
She also serves as Chair of the St Petersburg Mayor’s Commission on Aging.and has served on the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of the City of Largo.
In 2022 she was honored to be inducted into the St Petersburg Senior Hall of Fame for her volunteer work and helping people to safely Age In Place along with accessibility solutions to people with disabilities.
She founded and Chairs the Falls Free Florida Falls Prevention Coalition bringing together Senior Service Professionals dedicated to reduce falls through Education, Awareness and Resources.
Homefit Guide available at: AARP HomeFit Guide
Cheryl Jefferson, a Jacksonville native and executive Council Member at AARP, has been volunteering for more than five years advocating for seniors in Northeast Florida. In addition to her outstanding local volunteer work, Cheryl travels to Tallahassee to meet with legislators and discuss issues impacting the lives of seniors in Florida.
When she’s not advocating for the 50-plus community, Cheryl loves spending time with her husband of 38 years, in addition to her three kids and five grandchildren.
Colin Castle: I was born in Guam, as my father was in the military for 27 years. I am the youngest of six and after I was born, he decided to retire to Florida to raise one child outside of the military. My family moved to Pinellas County in early 1970 and ultimately called Largo home until 2010 when I finally sold the family home. Unfortunately, my father passed in 1981, but he instilled many of my beliefs in me at an early age. My mother, family, and a few key role models helped me succeed. I chose to leave my 20-year career to assist my wife, Julie Castle, in achieving her vision of what Home Instead Senior care could ultimately become. My career was client focused and making sure my clients received the best possible customer service and care, so my transition to Home Instead Senior Care has been easy. From a personal perspective, my father received in home care from Hospice while he battled cancer, my brother was my grandmother’s primary caregiver for a number of years, and I took care of my mother prior to her passing. For me, making sure we provide the best care possible to our clients is very personal.
Please visit the Home Instead website: HomeInstead.com
Elli Baldwin, Founder & President, Sunways Senior Living Concierge
Elli has always had the ability to create personal connections with others and build trust to understand their needs. She has 15 years of recruiting experience and loves helping people who are going through a major transition. At Sunways, she’s taking that expertise and applying it to helping others who move into a new stage in their life. Elli loves spending time outside with her family and is passionate about cooking and holistic health. She’s also very involved in the local Sarasota philanthropic community as an Advisory Board member and past President of Designing Daughters of Sarasota which supports many local non-profits in our community.
Please visit the Sunways Senior Living website: SunwaysSeniorLiving.com
Heather Roush is a community liaison by title and a connector by nature. She is passionate about connecting people with the resources to best fit their current needs. With a history of nonprofit team leadership and customer service training, Heather desires to make the journey of caregiving authentic and digestible to all people. As the representative for a Private Duty Home Care Agency, she has the opportunity to match families with their right caregiver and build a team of “helpers” to support the primary caregiver and family.
Please visit Heather’s website: SouthernComfortHomeCare.com
Jennifer Trevino: a With over 20+ years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working across various traditional settings and catering to clients with diverse abilities, Jennifer has come to understand the importance of staying in one’s own home to benefit their overall health. This realization spurred her to expand her expertise expanding into in-home therapy, home modifications and dementia care. By specializing in these areas, she can offer tailored solutions to the daily challenges faced by clients, right in the comfort of their homes.
Please visit Jennifer’s website: FunctionalityForLIfe.com
Jessie Brown, M. Special Ed. is the founder of Technology Natives and creator of Catalyst 4 Connections. Her father, a former professional football and baseball player, has been on the Alzheimer’s journey for 9 years. She has been with him every step of the way as it progresses and has used her experience as a special education teacher to create unique solutions to the problems he faces, so he can continue to live the life he deserves. She has a solution based mindset, which lead her to the creation of Catalyst 4 Connections.
Please visit Jessie’s website: Catalyst4Connections.com
Lisa Keith, Sunways Senior Living Concierge
What’s your previous work experience?
In my previous work experience, I worked for a non-medical home care company. I started as the Caregiver Recruiter, finding quality caregivers to refer to our clients, then moved into the Director of Marketing position. It was here that I worked closely with the healthcare community in Pinellas County to find other caring and compassionatebusinesses to work with to enrich the lives of the senior community. The relationships that I have built will continue to help me be a resource for families navigating healthcare. It has since become my passion for helping others and being a voice and advocating for those who are unable to do so.
Where are you from?
I am a Florida native. I was born and raised in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL. I will never take for granted this amazing place I call home! There is so much diversity and culture in our little city. A lot of my family lives locally and I love being in a city that offers so much for all ages! We feel so fortunate to have so many things to choose from like; baseball, soccer, Florida Orchestra, Saturday Markets, live music, beautiful beaches, and so much more!!
What do you do for fun?
On the weekends you will most likely find our family at the softball field. We all enjoy hanging out with the other families and watching our oldest daughter play out her passion in Travel Softball. When we don’t have a tournament, you can usually find us at the beach, out for family bike rides, or spending time with our family and friends.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about living a happy, healthy life! I love working out and find it to be a special time when I’m able to disconnect from the world and focus on myself and my health! Most mornings, my girls wake up early and join me in a workout. I love teaching my girls the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Any weird personality traits/ quirks?
Hmm…I think I would have to say that I am a fidgeter!! I have a hard time sitting still and something is always moving whether it’s my legs bouncing, my hands moving, or even my body swaying back and forth when I’m standing. I guess I have an unusual amount of energy always trying to get out.
What’s your WHY? Why Sunways? Why Senior Care?
I LOVE working with seniors and families! I LOVE to hear people’s stories!! I LOVE helping people!! When I met Elli and Mark I knew deep in my heart that Sunways was where I needed to be!! I feel that our values are inlined. I love their constant display of empathy, knowledge, and heart. I’m excited to be a part of a team that has all of those wonderful qualities and more!! I’m here to make a difference and help enrich the lives of others!!
5 Questions/ Talking Points
1. What exactly is a Senior Living Concierge?
2. How do you help seniors and their caregivers?
3. How can someone get connected to Sunways?
4. How much do you cost?
5. How can you help with senior care resources?
Please visit the Sunways Senior Living website: SunwaysSeniorLiving.com
Lisa Moore, Moore Insurance Options
I was very fortunate to be able to care for my youngest daughter, who was born with multiple medical challenges. When she went to High School and began to find her way, I found that I was very displaced. My husband worked for United Healthcare and suggested that I look into becoming a Medicare Insurance Agent.
Twelve years later we have a family owned insurance agency, specializing in Medicare, we currently have 6 agents serving the state of Florida. We are currently authorized with 14 different insurance carriers offering over 125 plans options. My husband, Tom, retired from United Healthcare and came to join me in 2022. We have recently hired my youngest daughter to work with us. We needed to hire someone we trusted, and she said she would give us a couple of years.
I have found that I enjoy being helpful to people. As a caregiver, I understand the importance of insurance. I understand it is difficult to navigate. I seek to understand and share my knowledge with others.
Within the 12 years, I was sometimes a primary caregiver for my mother who suffered from Lou Body Dementia. Caring for an older loved one with dementia, a progressive disease, was more challenging than caring for a younger loved one with multiple medical challenges. Every caregiver’s journey is different and unique.
Please visit the Moore Insurance Options website: Moore Insurance Options.com
Lizette Cloete, OTR/L, CADDCT, CDP, founder of Think Different Dementia, LLC, is a forward-thinking leader in dementia care with over 30 years of experience. She empowers caregivers by blending practical evidence based solutions, faith-based guidance, and Biblical principles to reduce stress and burnout. Lizette’s unique PEACE Framework and the Caregiver Reflection Question help caregivers navigate their roles with both spiritual insight and practical strategies, fostering long-term peace and fulfillment. A sought-after speaker, Lizette’s holistic, Christian-based approach transforms how caregivers manage dementia care, guiding them to thrive in their caregiving journey while deepening their faith and preparing for their future.
Please visit the website: Think Different Dementia
Lori Smith has been very involved with senior living with all levels of care since 1983. Starting with long term care and rehab and moving into Independent, Assisted Living & Memory Care. For the last 11 years she has worked for Grand Villa Senior Living in various roles but feels God has placed her right where she needs to be… guiding, advising and suggesting to senior residents and their families. The tag line for Grand Villa is “Looks Like Home, Feels like Family” and they truly are a very large & special family to Lori.
Maureen Rulison is the President of Caregiver Support & Resources, LLC. which was originally founded as a Medicaid Planning Company in 2004. She is also Co-founder of We Are Dementia Strong, BCPA– Board Certified Patient Advocate, CMP Certified Medicaid Planner and CMDCP- Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional. She is a Certified Eden Alternative Associate, Educator and Mentor and a part of the Florida Pioneer Network. Maureen is trained by the Alzheimer’s Association to facilitate support groups.
In her own words: I began my journey in my twenties working for the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services determining eligibility for Medicaid for Aged and Disabled Individuals. In 1999, I left state employment and became an independent contractor specializing in working with individuals to obtain eligibility for Medicaid and VA Aid & Attendance; as well as, protecting their assets before qualifying for these programs. Stemming from this work my focus and passion for serving individuals living with Dementia Related Illnesses and Person-Centered Care grew.
Last, but not least, I am a Care Partner with Brian LeBlanc who is living with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. You can learn more about our life’s journey on our Facebook page We Are Dementia Strong. I believe that my lived experience as a care partner has enriched my compassion and understanding of my Client’s experiences.
Please visit Maureen’s website: Caregiver Support and Resources
Michelle Lowack
When Michelle makes a commitment, she’s fierce about it, which is one reason she was drawn to Solera Senior Living. “Solera provides the training and support to ensure the resident experience I am selling is what we deliver at The Preserve. Our team is committed to providing an intimate, loving family experience where residents live their best life and thrive.” Michelle loves seeing families trade the stress of caregiving for the relief of seeing their loved one become part of The Preserve family. “They can resume their role as child or spouse and share laughter and meals at events,” she says. “It is so rewarding when they say they have made the best decision for their loved one.” Her father’s journey with Alzheimer’s helped spark Michelle’s passion for senior care. “I am
committed to serving elders and making every day the best it can be for them. I love what I do here.”
Commitment to others runs through every aspect of Michelle’s life. She serves others through several civic organizations, including Rotary, The Walk to ENDALZ, Accent Care Hospice, Guardian Association Pinellas County, and many more. She received her BS in education from UW Wisconsin at Whitewater. Favorite role? Mom and grandmother. Favorite pastimes? Scratch cooking and delivering meals to families in need. Favorite vacation? Every moment spent with her family, especially at their family lake home in northern Wisconsin.
Please visit the website: The Preserve at Clearwater
Attorney Sean W Scott is the principal attorney at The Law Offices of Sean W. Scott, WLAW, P.A.
Scott Law is your trusted partner in navigating the complex landscape of elder law. Our dedicated elder law practice specializes in Medicaid eligibility and asset preservation, so you can enjoy the peace of mind and financial security you deserve.
Scott Law is your trusted partner in navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of elder law. We understand that as you or your loved ones approach the golden years of life, planning for long-term care and preserving your hard-earned assets becomes a top priority. Our dedicated elder law practice specializes in Medicaid eligibility and asset preservation, ensuring that you can enjoy the peace of mind and financial security you deserve.
Elder law is a distinct legal field, encompassing a wide range of issues that affect the elderly and their families. At Scott Law our mission is to provide comprehensive and compassionate legal support to seniors and their families as they face the challenges and opportunities associated with aging. With a specific focus on Medicaid eligibility and asset preservation, we offer expertise that can make all the difference in securing your financial future while accessing the care you need.
Medicaid is a critical government program that provides essential healthcare services for those with limited financial resources. However, navigating the eligibility requirements and understanding how to preserve your assets within the boundaries of the law can be a daunting task. That’s where our team of experienced elder law professionals step in. We are here to guide you through the complex Medicaid application process and help you structure your financial affairs to protect your hard-earned assets, ensuring a better quality of life in your later years.
Our commitment to elder law is rooted in our dedication to preserving the dignity and well-being of seniors in our community. We take pride in our ability to tailor individualized solutions to each client’s unique circumstances, offering a sense of security and peace of mind for both seniors and their families. With compassion and expertise, Scott Law is your trusted partner in securing your future while preserving your assets.
We are a team of elder law experts who are not only knowledgeable but also deeply passionate about ensuring that you or your loved ones age with grace, dignity, and financial security. We look forward to being your advocates, your advisors, and your partners in the journey towards Medicaid eligibility and asset preservation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step in securing a brighter, more comfortable future.
Attorney Sean W. Scott has been practicing Elder Law and qualifying clients for Medicaid for over 33 years.
Scott Law, WLAW, PA
3233 E Bay Dr
Suite 104
Largo, FL 33771
727-539-0181
Email: Connect@virtuallawoffice.com
Please visit Sean’s website: www.virtuallawoffice.com
Please visit Sean W Scott on Facebook: Law Offices of Sean W Scott, Esq
Sienna Kinney
Sienna Kinney is a violinist and music therapist in training from Tampa, Florida. She is a music therapy intern at AccentCare Hospice and a graduate student of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Prior to pursuing a music therapy certification, Sienna completed a Bachelor’s in Violin Performance and a Master’s in Chamber Music at the University of South Florida, where she was a Graduate Assistant. Sienna has been an avid teacher and performer since 2017, playing violin in both solo and chamber settings throughout the east side of America and Western Europe. She is a founder and violinist of the Ancroft Quartet as well as a member of several orchestras in Florida. Although violin is her primary instrument, Sienna also uses guitar, piano, voice, and sometimes even percussion in music therapy settings. Upon completing her internship and music therapy degree, Sienna will continue to wear all the hats of performer, teacher, and music therapist in the Tampa area.
Please visit the website: AccentCare
Sue Ryan: Sue’s mission is to empower and embolden individuals to maximize the opportunities and potential change will bring. As a speaker, change strategist, international best-selling author, award-winning course creator, podcaster, executive coach, caregiving coach and mentor, she lives this through the passions of her purpose. She guides and inspires leaders and emerging leaders committed to business growth and nextlevel leadership to be great leaders of themselves and others. She guides non-professional caregivers to become confident, balanced, and supported in all phases of their caregiving journey. She guides businesses to navigate the global crisis of family caregiving in business so both businesses and caregivers thrive.
Sue’s corporate career of more than 30 years was in enterprise application software sales to companies across industries including Healthcare, Financial Services, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Hospitality, and Utilities. She was responsible for ensuring individuals were poised for change and their organizations were positioned for predictable success. While her performance was consistently recognized in the top tier, her most satisfying achievement was her nearly 100% client retention rate.
Sue has been in roles of family caregiving support for forty years. She’s moved from feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and yes – sometimes frightened – to confident, balanced, and supported, navigating the transitions in her life, her care receivers, and those who support them on their journey. As a speaker, coach, author, educator, and mentor, she shares the lessons, tips, and strategies she’s learned to help individuals and businesses positively navigate caregiving.
Sue has been a volunteer mentor of emerging leaders for Menttium since 2011. Sue volunteers in the children’s ministry of Gulf Community Church, is a certified Avow Hospice volunteer, a member of the Blue Zone’s Engagement Committee, and a passionate technology educator for seniors. She’s a member of the International Coaching Federation. Through her coaching, Sue earned the John Mattone Platinum-Elite Executive Coach ranking. Sue supports the Leadership Collier Foundation and is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Collier. She volunteers as a speaker and Community Educator for The Alzheimer’s Association, and is a speaker and volunteer for AlzAuthors. She has authored or co-authored five International bestselling
books. Her book for non-professional caregivers is Our Journey of Love, 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey. She created the award winning online course, The Caregiver’s JourneyTM, to support family caregivers through their entire caregiving journey. Sue is a certified caregiver advocate. She has been featured on ABC News, is a TEDx, DisruptHR, and SHRM speaker. Sue and business partner Nancy Treaster launched their podcast: The Caregiver’s Journey – Practical Tips and Candid Conversations.
Sue’s life motto: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Please visit Sue’s website: The Caregivers Journey